Well, time sure does fly when you are eating quality kosher food! We’ve just sampled all the hamentashen Sydney has to offer and quicker than you can say: ‘it’s cool to be kosher’,
here we are beaming out our tenth edition of Kosher KApers. As always, this week we answer your questions and have so much to share, so let’s get to it!

Last month, the Sydney Jewish Museum Café opened and it is a wonderful addition to Sydney’s kosher landscape (see images below). Located on the first level of the Sydney Jewish Museum at 148 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst, this warm kosher hub offers delicious milchig and pareve options. With the alluring smell of Vittoria coffee in the air, there is a large variety of fresh food choices – from open mozzarella melts to a selection of sandwiches or bagels, for example, egg salad, tuna salad, or smoked salmon. Different hearty soups and stews are made daily; choose from bean, vegetable, lentil, pumpkin or cauliflower – all tempting, especially with autumn here and winter around the corner! (Note: all cheese used is chalav Yisroel).

Owner Ariel Alkabets reflects: “The KA has been very helpful. Reverend Cha’oul Samra has been my direct contact and I have liaised with him continuously. He is understanding, patient and a wealth of information. When he pops in to conduct kashrut inspections, it may sound a little unconventional, but it truly gives us a chance to catch up!”

The Museum Café also offers a fabulous healthy lunch option called “Create Your Own Salad”. You hold the tongs here, dear kosher friends, because you choose from a vast selection of fresh salad choices, and you can complement your salad with Ariel’s signature home-made salad dressing. He also makes his own preservative-free mayonnaise fresh daily (his mum’s secret recipe!). Choose from a range of cold beverages, quality tea or coffee and while you’re there, you might as well indulge in a sliver of something sweet: apple crumble, lamingtons, lemon meringue or even banana, carrot or cheese cake are on offer!

Ariel continues: “here at the Museum Café, we also provide a quality kosher catering service, which has proven popular, especially with Jewish businesses in the local area.” (Note: catering platters must be picked up from the café). Feel like something to nosh later? The Museum Café also conveniently stocks Israeli and local kosher products.

The Sydney Jewish Museum is open Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm and Friday from 10am to 2pm. The Museum Café opens one hour earlier, at 9am. So why not come for breakfast first? Here’s the clever part: if you come to eat at the Museum Café (anytime of day), you get free admission into the museum! (For further information, contact Ariel Alkabets on 0424 409 654 or via email
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).

Before we launch into all-things-Pesach, you asked us a question about Edgell tinned beetroot. Thank you for that query, we have investigated and would like you to know that Edgell sliced beetroot in all sizes has been removed from our Kosher Product Directory, as there was a change in processing plants. However, please know that Golden Circle sliced and diced beetroot, plus five varieties of Watties beetroot, are still available and listed.

Okay, let’s talk Pesach! We are so pleased to announce that the KA’s Pesach Product Directory is hot off the press and has just been posted to all subscribers (those who have paid for mail updates). Check your in-box ’cause we’re also distributing email copies to all subscribers. Note: free hard copies are available for pickup from our office. To download a copy click here. ‘Sale of Chametz’ forms can be downloaded by clicking here and can be faxed to our office on 9365 0933, or email to
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As you may have noticed around town, supermarkets and shops are beginning to convert shelves from chametz to Pesachdik. We want to gently remind you that it is still imperative to check each product purchased in the Pesach section of each shop. Bring your new friend, your 2011 KA Pesach Product Directory, or use your Internet-enabled phone and check online at www.ka.org.au. Does the item you hold in your hand have a valid Pesach hechsher? Does the product in question contain kitniyot (foods Ashkenazi Jews don’t consume)? If you have any questions, we are here to help you. (Contact the KA office on 1 300 KASHRUT [9365 2933]).

Many of you have asked us about purchasing kosher le pesach catering options. Let’s begin with Lewis’ Continental Kitchen. With an extensive array of quality Pesach fare, Lewis’ have been diligently servicing the community’s Pesach needs for the past 40 years. Judith Lewis elaborates “we encourage our customers to ask questions, and we will do everything in our power to give you the Pesach you want and deserve. We are happy to tailor our food to your dietary requirements. Take gefilte fish, if you are a diabetic and need less sugar, can do. If you love pepper, we will spice it up! We are here to help.”

Lewis’ hand-grind whole nuts and use American walnuts in their delicious walnut cake with coffee icing. There is literally so much to choose from, your best bet is to contact Karyn Lewis (
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, or call 9365 5421), and she will email you their impressive list so you can see for yourself. Okay diarise this: the deadline for placing your Lewis Pesach orders will be Thursday April 14th. Pick up will be on Sunday April 17 until midnight or from 5am Monday morning April 18th (erev Pesach). The Lewis’ Team will be working through the night and please note, home delivery options are available.

Sydney is so lucky to also have the dedicated and experienced team at Passion8, offer our community a diverse and delectable array of Pesach foods. Director Graham Flax poses the cheeky question: “Are you ‘wandering’ what to cook for Pesach? It’s not a ‘dessert’ out there! Order now from Passion8 Catering!” And it couldn’t be easier; Passion8’s Pesach menu and order form are available at their website (http://passion8catering.com.au/private-pesach.html).

Experts in Pesach catering for almost 30 years, this year Passion8 are excited to include Vegetarian Pizza, Ratatouille, and New York pickles for the first time, along with new desserts such as their Vanilla and Berry Meringue ice cream cake and refreshing Tropical Sorbet (see images below). Orders must be received by midday Friday April 8th. Home delivery is available or pick up directly from Passion8 HQ between 9am-11am erev Pesach, Monday April 18th. Kosher consumers are welcome to subscribe to Passion8 for notification of Jewish festival menus and monthly specials: http://passion8catering.com.au/passion8athome_mailinglist.html.

Just a quick reminder: Oat Matzot are now available for purchase from The KA, on a pre-pay, pre-order basis. Hurry! Call us on 1 300 KASHRUT (9365 2933) before midday on Monday April 4th with your final orders. The machine-made (12 to 15 pieces) or hand-made (three to a packet) Oat Matzot cost $26.50, and will be a unique addition to your Pesach pantry.

Stay tuned for the next jam-packed edition of Kosher KApers, in which we look forward to featuring Grunfeld’s Catering, kosher le Pesach meat options, and new products as well!